Sexual Revictimization During Women's First Year of College: Self-Blame and Sexual Refusal Assertiveness as Possible Mechanisms

• NCJ Number: 235072
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 2113-2126
• Author(s): Jennifer Katz; Pamela May; Silvia Sörensen; Jill DelTosta
• Date Published: November 2010
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study attempts to identify mechanisms among college students for sexual revictimization.

Abstract

Although sexual victimization during adolescence increases risk for later revictimization, mechanisms for increased risk among new college students have not been identified. Female undergraduates (N = 87) were assessed at the start and end of their first academic year. Those who reported initial sexual victimization at Time 1 were more likely than other women to report later college victimization at Time 2. Path analyses showed that self-blame and decreased sexual refusal assertiveness (SRA) explained this effect. Specifically, initial victimization was associated with increased self-blame; in turn, self-blame indirectly predicted later college victimization via decreased sexual refusal assertiveness. Prevention efforts focused on self-blame and other barriers to SRA may reduce risk for revictimization during women's transition to college. (Published Abstract)